Bangkok Reports

I'm not sure if this should go on this thread, but here goes. I want to spend a week in Pattaya/ BKK and a week in Bali. Flying from San Francisco. I see China Airlines has a fare of $923 RT from San Fran to BKK. Oct 8 (the 1:30 am flight which I like.) and returning Oct 23rd. It is advertising this fare as a "sale" from June 16 to July 15th.

I figure I can fly RT FROM SFO into BKK and catch an Air Asia flight from BKK to Bali (looks like that RT on Air Asia is between $200-$250.

So, should I just book this now (at least the SFO to BKK)? Should I also book the Air Asia to Balu? Do the Air Asia flights sell out? I'd hate to find out I can't get a flight to Bali if I wait.

Also, any opinions on doing the 7 days first in Bali or in Pattaya/ BKK? Oh, I've been to Thailand 7 times, but it's my first trip to Bali. I know there isn't maybe a "right" answer here but I always like to hear from Members who have great ideas, opinions and experience.

Thanks!

Redfield, flights on air Asia to and from DPS BKK are not often full. Thing is, prices go up as your departure date approaches. It is also near impossible to buy your air Asia ticket online with a US credit card, unless you call them at their call center. so if you wait until you are in Asia and buy at an air Asia office, I have seen OW between BKK and DPS as high as 250 USD 5 to 7 days before departure.

My choice would be to book on china air via LAX, they fly newer planes with PTV, and better seats than SFO, But i would try to fly into DPS, buy a one way to BKK on air Asia, and fly the return portion to the USA from BKK. Of course, it might just be a lot more money, you would need to check. If that doesn't work, you can also try TG, they have had some good sales into BKK from other Asian countries recently.
just my 2 cents.

[QUOTE=1Ball]It is also near impossible to buy your air Asia ticket online with a US credit card[/QUOTE]

That may be a problem with your credit card. Be sure that it's not encumbered by any blocks on international transactions. I have bought AirAsia tickets several times with no problems.

[QUOTE=Etaoin2003]may be a problem with your credit card. Be sure that it's not encumbered by any blocks on international transactions. I have bought AirAsia tickets several times with no problems.[/QUOTE]
I can confirm this. I just bought BKK to Macau Air Asia ticket over the internet. No problem.

I also bought a Macau to AC Cebu Pacific ticket with no problem, but when I then tried to buy a 2nd ticket (roundtrip Cebu Pacific MNL to Puerto Princessa); the transaction did not go through. I contacted my credit card company and sure enough the 2nd purchase had been flagged by security. Once the CC company confirmed my identify, the purchase was processed without further problems.

Credit card companies sometimes flag legitimate purchases. If this happens to you either call them up and straighten things out or use a different card. There is a lot of fraud out there. I don’t mind experiencing a false positive once in a while as long as I am never held liable for any fraudulent transactions.
.

[QUOTE=Redfield10]I'm not sure if this should go on this thread, but here goes. I want to spend a week in Pattaya/ BKK and a week in Bali. Flying from San Francisco. I see China Airlines has a fare of $923 RT from San Fran to BKK. Oct 8 (the 1:30 am flight which I like.) and returning Oct 23rd. It is advertising this fare as a "sale" from June 16 to July 15th.

I figure I can fly RT FROM SFO into BKK and catch an Air Asia flight from BKK to Bali (looks like that RT on Air Asia is between $200-$250.

So, should I just book this now (at least the SFO to BKK)? Should I also book the Air Asia to Balu? Do the Air Asia flights sell out? I'd hate to find out I can't get a flight to Bali if I wait.

Also, any opinions on doing the 7 days first in Bali or in Pattaya/ BKK? Oh, I've been to Thailand 7 times, but it's my first trip to Bali. I know there isn't maybe a "right" answer here but I always like to hear from Members who have great ideas, opinions and experience.

Thanks![/QUOTE]Redfield,

I am going to Bangkok in 2 week air fare from SFO to HKG for buisness on cathay pacific is 1680 USD and a side trip to BKK, even Thai air from LAX in jun and July is 1500 USD, travel agent told me high season and the world expo in China isthe reason, but fare will drop back to normal by end of Aug.

Fast Eddie 48

Good one. Looks like you played the same 1st grade song games I did. [QUOTE=Gwailo]People think it's funny,
But it's really dark and runny.[/QUOTE]

If anyone is planning to come you had better lower your expectations. Presently the level of choice is Bangkok is poor.

Its the low season and the girls are complaing over lack of visitors, and many have gone home to spend a few months at home and come back at year end.

So do not get your hopes up, Thailand presently is best avoided due to the strong baht and lack of good quality girls.

I met Kate or Katie accross Soi Nana by the twin ATMs. She provides amazing 3 hole service with CIM FOR 1000 Baht. Highly recommended but seemed glassy eyed so she might do drugs. Call her mobile phone for room service and stretch her!!!(086 708 4080)

[QUOTE=The Pro]If anyone is planning to come you had better lower your expectations. Presently the level of choice is Bangkok is poor...Its the low season and the girls are complaing over lack of visitors, and many have gone home to spend a few months at home and come back at year end...So do not get your hopes up, Thailand presently is best avoided due to the strong baht and lack of good quality girls.[/QUOTE]Best avoided? TAT cut your commission?

TP, with due respect to your self-proclaimed bottomless experience, I have to disagree with your "no go" proclamation. Sure, it's a lot quieter than usual, but that is a good thing in many ways if you know the town. Sure they complain, but they are always complaining about something. Sure, the ladies are heading home for visits, but most will come back sooner than later for money.

Right now, it is a great time to have fun, [i]and[/i] a good time to lay the groundwork for future nights of fun. For example, last night I bought a few rounds of tequila shots for three of my favorite go-go girls, then promptly [i]check binned[/i] and left. Basically, I got them warmed up for the next guy...lucky SOB. But, as things go here, they will remember our little drinking session ([i]nam soda[/i] for me), and I will have big fun some other night

Presently, I have so many nice, sweet, beautiful women that I can't keep up with it all. If I tire of one, it is easy to find another. Literally, only takes minutes and nary the slightest bit of effort to find a possible replacement.

The lovely sweetheart from a Soi 23 massage shop who spent last night with me did not complain about a thing. She was all smiles when I tucked her into her taxi this morning.

TP -- you need to find some new ladies. Or...
...just move on to Angeles City?

I have almost 6 h spare time at Bangkok airport waiting for my flight, at evening hours. Can I go to the city and try even one shot somewhere? Or is not worth? Not enough time, but might be possible, only I need to know where I could come down in BKK for short while and come back quickly before departure. Can anyone tell me?

No idea about transportation from/to airport in BKK how long it may last.

[QUOTE=The Pro]Thailand presently is best avoided due to the strong baht and lack of good quality girls.[/QUOTE]Yes, by all means stay away. It's unspeakably dreadful, a real nightmare.

Until recently, Bank of Ayuthaya did not charge me the 150 baht that all other banks have been doing for years. But now, even B of A is now charging this fee.

Anyone know of any other bank that does not charge the 150baht? By the time my home bank/CC company has placed their own charges plus a bad exchange rate etc, the 150 baht extra charge brings the cost of using an ATM to at least 4-5% on a 10,000 baht withdrawal!

By the way, I agree with The Pro. Please stay away from Thailand. That way there will be more for those, like me, who are prepared to stick around. While it is true that many girls have headed back to the villages as they normally do during the low season anyway, I still got my favourite girl at my favourite MP and picked up a real honey near Nana too.

There are plenty of girls available and even the cuties in Hua Hin are a little more hungry and less stand-offish than they used to be a couple of years ago.

ONLY one I am aware of that does not charge the 150 bt ripoff is Aeon but they are few and far between. And some reports have surfaced that, sometimes, they do not spit out your money but yet it is gone from your account. I've used the Aeon ATM in Paragon and the one at Tesco Udon Thani with no troubles.


[QUOTE=Simian]Until recently, Bank of Ayuthaya did not charge me the 150 baht that all other banks have been doing for years. But now, even B of A is now charging this fee.

Anyone know of any other bank that does not charge the 150baht? By the time my home bank/CC company has placed their own charges plus a bad exchange rate etc, the 150 baht extra charge brings the cost of using an ATM to at least 4-5% on a 10,000 baht withdrawal!

By the way, I agree with The Pro. Please stay away from Thailand. That way there will be more for those, like me, who are prepared to stick around. While it is true that many girls have headed back to the villages as they normally do during the low season anyway, I still got my favourite girl at my favourite MP and picked up a real honey near Nana too.

There are plenty of girls available and even the cuties in Hua Hin are a little more hungry and less stand-offish than they used to be a couple of years ago.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Simian]Until recently, Bank of Ayuthaya did not charge me the 150 baht that all other banks have been doing for years. But now, even B of A is now charging this fee.

Anyone know of any other bank that does not charge the 150baht? By the time my home bank/CC company has placed their own charges plus a bad exchange rate etc, the 150 baht extra charge brings the cost of using an ATM to at least 4-5% on a 10,000 baht withdrawal!.[/QUOTE]My bank in Malaysia has just informed me that I can withdraw from their branches in BKK ( plenty) for only RM 2 each.

This is good news !

[QUOTE=Simian]Anyone know of any other bank that does not charge the 150baht? By the time my home bank/CC company has placed their own charges plus a bad exchange rate etc, the 150 baht extra charge brings the cost of using an ATM to at least 4-5% on a 10,000 baht withdrawal![/QUOTE]


You need to get a bank back home that refunds foreign ATM fees and doesn't charge any of their own.

I use Schwab and they do this.